Staff & Board

Staff

Our staff is dedicated to making a difference in Central New York. With extensive knowledge of our community’s changing needs, our staff is uniquely suited to assist donors in creating and implementing their charitable goals. We are also here to help the community by funding a broad spectrum of local needs by providing grant dollars and other assistance to the nonprofit  organizations we support. We are here to serve you, our donors and our community. Check out our Intern Corner to learn about our current and former interns.

	Peter A. Dunn President & CEO Welcomes all questions you may have regarding the Community Foundation and its services.
Finance & Administration
	Kimberly P. Sadowski, CPA Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer Oversees finance, accounting, investments, information technology, human resources and operations. *Kim is happy to answer your questions regarding investments, foundation operations and talent recruitment.
	Elizabeth T. Hartman, CPA Controller Manages the day-to-day accounting activities of the Community Foundation adhering to accounting principles, policies and procedures. *Liz is happy to answer your questions about the audited financial statements or the 990.
	Kymberle Benderski Accountant Assists with the day-to-day accounting activities and scholarships of the Community Foundation. *Kymberle is happy to answer your questions about the Community Foundation’s accounting policies and procedures.
	Darrell Buckingham Manager, Foundation and Facility Operations Responsible for all technology and administrative functions of the CNY Philanthropy Center. *Darrell is happy to answer your questions regarding the CNY Philanthropy Center.
	Gerianne P. Corradino Finance Manager Responsible for managing the grants and accounts payable processes and providing affiliate fund and board support. *Geri is happy to answer your questions about accounts payable and board meetings.
	Dana Fiel Finance Associate Responsible for the grant distribution and accounts payable processes. *Dana is happy to answer your questions about accounts payable.
	Terri M. Evans Administrative Associate Provides administrative support to ensure the effective and efficient operation of the Community Foundation. *Terri is the first person to welcome constituents, visitors and staff when they arrive at the Philanthropy Center.
Development
	Thomas M. Griffith, AEP®, CAP®, ChFC®  Vice President, Development Creates and implements custom charitable giving plans for individuals, families and companies in coordination with their professional advisors. He also helps local nonprofits create and build endowments. *Tom is happy to answer questions about your charitable planning.
	Monica M. Merante, CAP® Senior Director, Philanthropic Services Serves as the primary contact for donors, connecting them with the many resources available through the Community Foundation. *Monica is happy to answer questions about your fund, help you identify areas of charitable interest, and research organizations and causes that you would like to support.
	Jan L. Lane Development Officer Supports charitable planning for individuals, families and companies and facilitates the Foundation’s legacy planning program. *Jan is happy to answer your questions regarding lifetime and legacy giving options, multi-generational engagement, fund succession planning and legacy preservation.
	Pragya S. Murphy, MBA Development Officer Supports charitable planning for individuals, families and companies and provides outreach to the local professional advisor community and nonprofit organizations. *Pragya is happy to answer your questions regarding the financial advisor program, nonprofit agency funds, affiliate fund development, lifetime giving and legacy giving.
	Jenny E. Green Manager, Philanthropic Services Provides support to donors, fund advisors and staff related to the organization's data management system. She also manages the Community Foundation’s gift acceptance and acknowledgment process. *Jenny is happy to help with updating contact information, removing from mailing lists, and answer your questions regarding donations.
Communications
	Katrina M. Crocker Vice President, Communications Develops and leads the implementation of a comprehensive communication strategy that builds and sustains awareness of the Community Foundation’s philanthropic voice in Central New York. *Katrina is happy to respond to media inquiries and answer your questions regarding overall communications.
	Juliet R. Maloff Communications Officer Champions and guides the Community Foundation's brand management to internal and external audiences by overseeing and producing media relations and print, digital and social media communications. *Juliet is happy to respond to media inquiries and answer your questions regarding any of our externally facing digital or print content.
	Dara M. Harper Events & Communications Associate Plans and executes Community Foundation events and provides general communications support. *Dara is happy to answer your questions regarding events, advertising and sponsorships, and affiliate fund communications.
community investment
	Frank M. Ridzi, PhD Vice President, Community Investment Oversees and monitors the grantmaking process, conducts research on issues or concerns of importance to the Community Foundation, shares expertise with donors and manages special projects and strategic initiatives *Frank is happy to answer your questions related to building, sustaining and sharing community knowledge and measuring impact through such initiatives as CNY Vitals, the Community Data Group, The Human Services Leadership Council, and Work Train.
	Danielle Johnson Director, Grants and Programs Oversees the Community Grantmaking program, special initiatives and nonprofit development programs. *Danielle is happy to answer your questions regarding Community Grantmaking, NEWS, Marsellus Executive Development, LeadUp CNY, DoVES, Speiser Fund, and Nourishing Tomorrow’s Leaders
	Robyn L. Smith Director, Strategic Initiatives Oversees and implements the Community Foundation’s strategic initiatives that support and enhance the quality of life in neighborhoods and communities in the Central New York region. *Robyn is happy to answer your questions regarding CNYCF’s literacy, LeadSafeCNY, and Census initiatives. Also, Robyn is the main point of contact for the Performance Management Learning Community.
	Dashiell M. Elliott Program Officer Assists in managing and implementing the Community Foundation’s grantmaking and associated programs. *Dashiell is happy to answer your questions regarding our Black Equity & Excellence Fund, Community Grantmaking, The Leadership Classroom (TLC) and grant reporting.
	Sean Reed Jr. Manager, Strategic Initiatives Assists with the implementation of the strategic initiative and affiliate fund programs. *Sean is happy to answer your questions related to the Community Foundation’s strategic initiatives and affiliate fund grantmaking.
Say Yes to Education
	Ahmeed Turner Say Yes Syracuse Executive Director *Ahmeed is happy to answer your questions about Say Yes to Education.
	Dana E. Lyons-Canty Manager, Post-secondary Scholarship Access and Completion *Dana is happy to answer your questions about Say Yes to Education scholarships.

Board of Directors

The Central New York Community Foundation’s Board of Directors is comprised of community leaders who hold extensive knowledge in the areas of accounting, estate planning and law. Members are responsible for managing the Foundation’s assets, developing new funds and making grants to the organizations that the Foundation and its donors support.

View our directory of former board members.

Board chair
	Casey Crabill, Ed.D President Onondaga Community College
Vice Chair
	Daniel J. Fisher Former Executive Vice President Welch Allyn
Treasurer
	Caragh Fahy, CFP® President & Owner Madison Financial Planning Group
Compliance Officer
	Karin Sloan DeLaney, Esq. Principal Sloan DeLaney P.C.
Board Members
	William H. Brower Vice President, Communications & Advancement Le Moyne College
	Honorable Julie A. Cecile Judge Onondaga Family Court
	Stephen D. Fournier Central New York Market President  Key Bank
	Kate Feldmeier Franz Founder and Owner KFF Literacy Consulting, LLC.
	Mark A. Fuller, CPA Chief Financial Officer United Radio, Inc.
	Susan Furtney, MPH Chief Strategy Officer Upstate University Hospital
	Lee Gatta CLU®, ChFC®, AEP® Financial Planner Prudential Financial
	Carolyn Gerakopoulos Former Director Oneida Public Library
	Grace B. Ghezzi, CPA/PFS/CFF, CFP®, CFE, AEP® President & Financial Consultant Grace B. Ghezzi Consulting, LLC.
	Bea González Vice President for Community Engagement and Special Assistant to the Chancellor Syracuse University
	Daren Jaime Senior Pastor People's A.M.E. Zion Church
	Larry R. Leatherman Retired Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology & Bristol-Myers Squibb
	Michael Meath Interim Chair, Public Relations Department S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications Syracuse University
	Dr. Emad Rahim, PMP®, CSM® Kotouc Family Endowed Chair and Associate Professor Bellevue University
	Rebecca Bronfein Raphael Director of Sales Curio Wellness
	Kevin E. Schwab Vice President of Public Policy & Government Relations and Air Service Development CenterState CEO
Counsel
	Mary Anne Cody, Esq. Mackenzie Hughes, LLP